Local News

Plano Police Identify Serial Rapist Suspect

PLANO (CBS 11 News) ― Police in Plano have identified the man they arrested Thursday as 30-year-old Stanley Vernell Ledbetter Jr. of Plano. Police believe he may be the serial rapist wanted for terrorizing nearly two dozen women across North Texas since May 2005.

As of Monday afternoon, Ledbetter was in the Dallas County jail on two counts of aggravated sexual assault. His bond was set at $1 million for each count. Police expect those charges will increase as the investigation continues.

Plano police were able to link Ledbetter to one of the charges through a shotgun he recently sold to a Plano pawn shop.

"Plano was able to tie him to the shotgun, which we had the shotgun shell from one of our offenses," said Lt. Sally Lennom, Dallas Police Department. "It was a home invasion and he forced the complainant to drive to an ATM to take money. He sexually assaulted her and left behind a piece of evidence. We were able to tie him to the shotgun used."

Detectives have seven cases with forensic evidence that link Ledbetter to the crimes. Frisco detectives are waiting for DNA tests, which may connect Ledbetter with an April 2007 home invasion. According to police, the victim was sexually assaulted, stabbed and left for dead.

Police believe he may also be connected to at least 19 other robberies and assaults in Dallas and several other northern suburbs for almost three years.

The investigation went nation-wide and involved a seven-city task force and the FBI. But two Plano police officers with keen eyes are credited for the arrest.

"The officer first discovered this individual while investigating a burglary offense. The similarities with the sketch the victim did led him to believe this may be the suspect involved in these home invasions. That led to the notifications of the task force and intelligence units," said Public Information Officer Rick McDonald, Plano Police Department. "Looking at weapons he owned in the past, that led them to the shotgun."

Police say Ledbetter had been living illegally with a woman at a west Plano apartment complex for the past week. Police informed the apartment's management about Ledbetter and had him placed under surveillance. He was eventually tricked into leaving the apartment and going to the police station, where he was arrested.

"I would say he is one of the more violent serial rapist we've had," said Lt. Lennom. "When you consider he shot and stabbed his victims, that's pretty horrific."

The victims lived in apartment complexes and were often forced at gunpoint to drive to ATMs after being assaulted.

Kathy Smith was one of the first victims. CBS 11 News spoke with her last year after she was attacked, as she was obtaining a permit to carry a concealed handgun. "I thought he was about to spread my brains all over my bedroom," she said. "I just did what I could to get out of there alive."

Up until this arrest, the only information police had was a sketch and a grainy ATM surveillance photo of the suspect.

"It's a big jigsaw puzzle. Each department brought evidence to the table. The big piece that was missing was tying it to one person," said Lt. Lennom. "With the Plano arrest, everything started coming together."

Police seized property from a garage and the apartment in search for evidence. According to police, Ledbetter listed his job on his arrest form as an accountant and tax preparer.

Sources within the Dallas Police Department say while Ledbetter has been interviewed, he has not admitted to any of the crimes.

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